the benefits of hemp-derived cbd & its regulatory ......the benefits of hemp-derived cbd &...
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The Benefits of Hemp-Derived CBD& Its Regulatory Challenges in APAC
Joy Beckerman, Regulatory Officer & Industry LiaisonJuly 11, 2019 · Healthy Ageing APAC Summit · Singapore
ABOUT ELIXINOL• Global leader in the hemp CBD industry, founded in
2014
• Pure, safe CBD and hemp products to fit every lifestyle
• Seed-to-shelf hemp CBD processor
• Industry leader in quality and transparency ~ all products are double-tested and verified by third-party ISO-certified laboratories for purity and efficacy
• Distribution in over 40 countries, including Japan, Europe, and the U.S.
• First CBD company to introduce and advertise in Japan
• We are a company focused on education, planetary health and healing
• We are activists and work as a team around the world to create legal and regulatory pathways for the versatile, valuable hemp plant
WHAT IS HEMP?Hemp is defined in the U.S. and many other countries as the plant Cannabis sativa that contains no greater than 0.3% THC.
CANNABIS COMPARISONS
HEMP SOWN FOR FIBER
1 plant / 1.5 sq. metersResin Range, Non-Intoxicating
200-300 plants / sq. meterLow-Resin, Non-Intoxicating
50-100 plants / sq. meterLow-Resin, Non-Intoxicating
HEMP SOWN FOR GRAIN & SEED
HEMP SOWN FOR CANNABINOIDS
MARIJUANA
1-2 plants / sq. meterHigh-Resin, Intoxicating*
HEMP CBD: A WORLDWIDE WELLNESS REVOLUTION
The discovery of the human Endocannabinoid System (ECS), coupled with access to hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD), is generating a worldwide wellness revolution that is particularly relevant to Asia’s ageing population.
THE BASICS OF CBD AND THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM
• CBD is one of over 100 naturally-occurring cannabinoids found in the hemp plant
• It is a 21-carbon lipid molecule that exhibits signaling properties in the body
• CBD is a lipid molecule that is easily absorbed through the mucous membranes, gastrointestinal system, and skin
• Hemp-derived CBD is non-addictive, non-intoxicating, and won’t make one “high”
• CBD’s versatility means it can be formulated for multiple methods of delivery, including dietary supplements, body care products, and pet products
THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM (ECS)
• The ECS is a series of transport molecules, receptors, ligands, and enzymes in the human body
• The ECS is the master control system for your body ~ it connects to every other system and is responsible for maintaining the body’s state of balance, or homeostasis
• CBD interacts with the human endocannabinoid system, or ECS
HOW CBD IMPACTS THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM
• Modern dietary and lifestyle choices often mean that our ECS is “starved” of the natural endocannabinoids it produces
• Consuming and using CBD helps us to replace this missing nutrient to help the ECS maintain bodily homeostasis
• CBD can help to promote relaxation, physical comfort, and focus
• According to Elixinol Medical Advisor Dr. Philip Blair, many health concerns may be related to endocannabinoid deficiency in the body
CBD FOR COGNITIVE HEALTH AND AGEING
CBD can improve physical and mental wellbeing to ease some of the most common difficulties associated with ageing, including:
• Physical Discomfort
• Cognition / Recall / Focus
• Skin health
• Sleeplessness
• Nervousness / Stress
• Mood & General Outlook
WHO EXPERT COMMITTEE ON DRUG DEPENDENCEJUNE 2018 CBD CRITICAL REVIEW REPORT
According to the World Health Organization's Critical Review:
• CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile• In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or
dependency potential• To date there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any
public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD
WHO JANUARY 2019 LETTER TO THE UNITED NATIONS
• Cannabis is a legitimate in medicine• Countries are encouraged to provide access to a variety of formulations• Countries have a broad choice of flexibility of policies on preparations• International legal instruments or tools are called to action
OPPORTUNITIES FOR CBD IN ASIA
• The Asian wellness market presents a significant marketing opportunity for the development of products that address general wellness and topical conditions for an ageing population.
• Elixinol was the first company to introduce CBD supplements into the Asian market, working to create a legal and regulatory framework globally in a highly controversial area, and securing a growing customer base.
• Data shows hemp sales in China were worth $1.1b US in 2017 and could be worth as much as $4.4b US by 2024.
• The country accounts for nearly a third of the global hemp market, according to consultancy New Frontier Data, and hemp-derived CBD accounted for $53m US of sales in 2017 but is forecast to more than quadruple to $228m US by 2020, boosted by demand in China, Japan and South Korea.
• The US International Trade Administration reports that Japan is the 3rd largest e-commerce market in the world, and one of the fastest growing
RICH ASIAN HISTORY OF CANNABIS AS MEDICINE
Photo from: https://www.slideshare.net/AllahDadKhan/medicinal-plants-history-by-mr-allah-dad-khan-former-dg-agriculture-extension-kpk-visiting-professor-the-university-of-agriculture-peshawar
Photo from: http://mjlinks.com/
Asia has a long history of Cannabis as medicine. South Asia, like India, Nepal and Sri Lanka has thousands of years of history using it in conjunction with Ayurveda. Central Asia and Far East Asia also has a multi-thousand-year history using it.
JAPAN’S 1948 CANNABIS CONTROL ACT
• After WWII (app. 1945), the U.S. and U.K. came in to control the country and saw Cannabis growing and this gave rise to the Act
• The Act has thus far never been updated• In terms of Cannabis, the Act focuses entirely on THC, which is
registered as a narcotic• CBD is not specifically controlled• Very challenging to navigate because regulation isn’t clear• Japan is operating under a tolerance policy as opposed to being
clearly written into law or regulation (it is entirely void)
COMPLIANCE IN JAPAN
• Elixinol has achieved compliance for its CBD products under unparalleled scrutiny
• Elixinol first entered the Japanese market by establishing the company Hemp Foods Japan in 2015
• Elixinol Japan was then formed in January of 2016, launching at the Kyoto Hemp Forum where the Prime Minister’s wife was a speaker and later showed her support by purchasing Elixinol Hemp Oil
• We successfully lobbied the City of Tokyo to be allowed to advertise our products there, commencing with the Tokyo Railway Station
• The Japanese government indicates no details about THC limits or what products can be sold
COMPLIANCE IN JAPAN, CON’T.• We have to make our own guidelines and make all of our products non-
detectable THC• Our hemp extract /CBD is produced in a different way for Japan; we
have developed technology to produce it using only the stalk and seeds of the plant - Japan absolutely may not import flowers/leaves; it is currently impossible
• Elixinol Japan only sells within Japan• There are many issues with importing, especially from America • The Japanese postal service can still reject shipments; they don’t
confiscate, they return products (sometimes for unexpected reasons)• We still risk entanglements with law enforcement, but we’re making the
world a healthier place and that’s the bottom line for us
AWARENESS OF CBD & PROPAGANDA IN JAPAN
• Japanese media hasn’t really picked it up yet • Citizens experience CBD when they go overseas • Learn through books / internet / social media• We are creating and educating the market• There are barriers everywhere; for example, when citizens Google the
legal status, they receive information that CBD isn’t allowable• Pharmaceutical companies feel the boom coming and they’re pushing
back• When citizens are arrested for smoking marijuana, it’s now in the news
AWARENESS OF CBD & PROPAGANDA IN JAPAN, CON’T.
• There are consequences for celebrities and others who speak out• There is no real free speech• We combat the propaganda through education, professionalism, and
rigorous, meticulous compliance, and by producing the finest products – no shortcuts – striving to be the global model for quality, purity and transparency
• We are convincing all the people that now is the time for Japan to liberate this plant to which the human race is so connected
• We are convincing the authorities / influencers, and they also have to convince the citizens – we have to focus on both
CRITICAL ADVICE: HIRE THE RIGHT LAWYERS FOREVERY ASPECT OF YOUR BUSINESS
• Hire experienced attorneys• Criminal attorneys understand the intricacies of Cannabis law and
how governments and authorities react• FDA attorneys must be hired for dietary supplements, nutraceuticals,
and pharmaceuticals (and cosmetics / food / beverage)
A NOTE ABOUT THE NUTRIENT-DENSE HEMP SEED
• Highest digestible form of protein in the plant and animal kingdoms• Perfect ratio of Omega 3 and 6• Naturally gluten-free• Great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals• Leaves an alkaline ash in the blood stream, promoting pH balance
Joy Beckerman, Regulatory Officer & Industry Liaisonwww.Elixinol.com
Thank You for Listening!